Bay Area Leaders Seek $60 Million for Pacifica Pier as El Niño Erodes Bluffs
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 16
Bay Area Leaders Seek $60 Million for Pacifica Pier as El Niño Erodes Bluffs
1 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 16
Summary
$60 million-plus in state and federal aid is being sought to rebuild Pacifica Municipal Pier and shore up nearby bluffs after the city closed the cracked structure this month as unsafe.
Rep. Sam Liccardo said Pacifica needs $50 million from FEMA's reinstated resilience program, nearly $1 million in NOAA pier funds and another $9 million for bluff protection, while state lawmakers pressed Gov. Gavin Newsom for a coastal emergency declaration.
The push comes as a historic El Niño drives record Bay Area water levels and dangerous surf — San Francisco tides hit 1.83 feet above normal high tide, Pier 14 was submerged, and rescues and fatalities mounted along the coast.
Scientists say extreme El Niño events can lift wave energy 50% above average, raise sea levels 6 to 12 inches and increase coastal erosion by more than 69%, sharpening the debate over whether taxpayers should keep rebuilding vulnerable shoreline infrastructure.
As oceans rise, should we spend millions rebuilding coastal icons or invest in a strategic retreat from the shore?
Could nature-based solutions, not concrete, be the key to saving California's coastline from a 'climate reckoning'?
The $19 Million Dilemma: Pacifica Pier’s Fight Against Climate Change, Political Gridlock, and Community Loss
Overview
The Pacifica Municipal Pier faces a long-standing struggle with financial and political challenges, as repeated storm damage in 2021 and 2023 exposed the urgent need for major repairs. Despite the city launching a $19 million repair plan, delays in taking preventative action have left the pier vulnerable, a concern raised by local leaders and community advocates. Now, engineers are deciding if the historic structure can be saved or must be rebuilt entirely. This situation highlights how slow responses and complex funding issues have put the future of this iconic pier at risk, underscoring the need for timely investment and decisive action.